I don't think Te Awa-i-taia would have been crouching, cowering subserviantly beside another chief, he had more Mana than that. This is after reading and studying his life. Has anyone verified this painting as being Te Awa-i-taia. I hope this can help a bit, I just hope this great man is not trivialised. I suppose it doesn't matter much really as it was all a long time ago

Ae, Moanaroa - Son of Tapatai aka. Punatoto. At the time of this painting, Te Awaitaia was the ruling chief of the Whaingaroa area, Whaingaroa having conquered by Ngati Mahanga from its previous owners (Ngati Koata, Ngati Toa, and some parts of Ngati Tahinga). This was known as the Battle of Huripopo, and was led by Tapatai, Father of Moanaroa. Uncontested and supreme. And as the contributor named "Ngati Hourua" has said there is much to be said in the way they are painted. Awaitaia was a war lord, but from a junior line, who rose to greatness by force of character, when they finally expelled Te Rauparaha and others from the west coast. Whereas Moanaroa was from the very senior line of Ngati Mahanga; and him crouching is an acknowledgement that as far as "tuakanatanga" goes, Moanaroa is the Senior/tuakana.

It is not uncommon to have multiple persons with the same name as well. However this Moanaroa, standing in a superior position to Awaitaia, is obviously the son of Tapatai ! Else the crouch would never have happened. Seriously, a chief will not lower himself for anything, unless the tuakanatanga is there.

Who can provide the uplines for this Te Moanaroa - as far as I am aware this particular Te Moanaroa was of the Ngaati Maahanga tribe, and is the reason why Te Awaitaia is kneeling at his feet.. because this particular Te Moanaroa was the eldest son of Tapatai Te Punatoto the paramount chief of Waikato in his time. And would be the only person Te Awaitaia was junior too....

Avice, kiaora, I am closely related to you on both the Moanaroa and Simon side. I know Rangikaahu. Tahinga was an Iwi, not a Hapu. Moanaroa and Turiwhati were brothers. Ben Rupapere, his daughter Rangi married a Gilgen. Hence David Gilgen. Rangi is with the Mormon Church.

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